Honey and Health

by Tommy Van HornOctober 30, 2012

Honey is much more than just a sweetener. It has been used for
centuries for healing and rejuvenation. Most of the honey sold in stores
has been heated and pasturized. This processing destroys many of the
enzymes and beneficial compounds that make raw honey so nutritious.
Regular honey often looks clear and syrupy. Raw honey has not been
treated with heat; it is often more buttery, solid and opaque than
pasteurized honey and often contains “cappings,” or small pieces of
beeswax. It is completely left in its natural state and therefore
contains pollen, enzymes, antioxidants and many other beneficial
compounds that researchers are just beginning to learn about. Be sure
not to give any honey, either raw or treated, to a child under the age
of 12 months.

Planet Health

Local honey benefits the health of the planet as well: minor
transportation costs (bicycle), no-fuss manufacturing (courtesy of the
bees), minimal processing, simple recyclable packaging and centralized
retailing provide a model of effective, low-carbon production and
distribution.

Allergy Protection

Some research supports the theory that local honey– obtained as close
as possible to where you live–may help build an immunity to some
seasonal allergies. There is not much research to support this idea, yet
many people claim that using honey in this way provides allergy relief.
Allergies are triggered by continuous exposure to the same allergen
over time. Even if a particular plant is not allergenic initally, it can
potentially become very allergenic if you spend much time in the same
environment as the plant. Honey made by bees in the vicinity of the
allergenic plant will contain tiny amounts of pollen from that plant.
This honey will act as a sort of vaccine if taken in small amounts–a few
teaspoons per day–for several months, and can provide relief from
seasonal pollen-related allergies.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

Honey is also rich in powerful antioxidants and cancer-fighting
phytonutrients, which can be found in the propolis, or “honey glue” that
the bees use to sterilize the beehive. Raw honey contains some of these
compounds while pasteurized honey does not.

Digestive Aid

In its natural, raw state, honey contains many enzymes that can help
some people digest food more easily so it may also help treat ulcers and
diarrhea.

Vitamins and Minerals

The nutrient content of raw honey varies, but a 1-ounce serving
contains very small amounts of folate as well as vitamins B2, C, B6, B5
and B3. Minerals including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium,
manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc can also be
found in raw honey in small amounts.

Topical Salve

Honey can be used as medicine. It has anti-microbial,
anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. For this
reason it can be applied topically to treat burns.

Cough Suppressant

Honey has also been found to be especially useful in treating upper
respiratory infections. A study at Penn State College of Medicine in
2007 found that a small dose of buckwheat honey was more effective than
an over-the-counter cough treatment for children.

Athletic Supplement

Honey is the ideal supplement on the go. It is full of carbs and easy
on the stomach (unlike some gels). Its ingredients consist of 38%
Fructose, 31% Glucose, 2% Sucrose, 7% Maltose, 17% water and a few other
miscellaneous things. Thus these sugar types, some more complex than
others, give an endurance athlete a nice balanced “boost” during longer
runs or an endurance event.

CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR
Studies show that using honey over regular white table sugar can help
steady blood-sugar levels— good news for those with prediabetes or
insulin resistance.

INCREASE ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS
Compared to other sweeteners, honey has higher levels of antioxidants.
Helping your body break down those free radicals after a post workout.

LOWER CHOLESTEROL
Using honey instead of white sugar for a few weeks can lower your “bad
cholesterol” and reduce levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of
inflammation in vessels.

HELP G.I. HEALTH
Honey has oligosaccharides, a type of sugar that fuels the growth of
immune-boosting bacteria in the gut, promoting a healthy intestinal
tract.